• Importation of Onion will be halted following concerns by local farmers that Onions worth k23, 000 is about to go to waste.
• Following a meeting with the Zambia National Farmers Union and other stakeholders last week
• Building capacity in terms of production was discussed.

Agriculture Minister has disclosed that that the importation of Onion will be halted following concerns by local farmers that Onions worth K23,000 is about to go to waste due to the continued authorization for importation of the produce.

Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Mr. Rueben Phiri explained that following a consultative meeting the Ministry had with various stakeholders last week, Government halted the importation of Onion until the locally produced Onions are cleared off the Market.

Mr. Phiri said the issue of building capacity in terms of production is one of the matters which were addressed.
“The Matter was resolved, the importation of Onion will be halted until such a time that whatever stock is available with the farmers is cleared off the Market,” he said.

On 21st February,2022, Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) said the country risks having over K23 million worth of onion going to waste owing to the continued importation of the commodity.

Union President Jervis Zimba noted that ZNFU has been engaging Ministry of Agriculture over the persistent importation of commodities that can be grown within the country such as onions and potatoes.

Mr. Zimba urged Agriculture Minister Reuben Phiri to clearly state whether he would like to see the country continue being a net importer of commodities that can readily be produced locally because the Union feels that he is not listening to the industry.